WHAT DAY/TIME IS REHEARSAL FOR SENIORS?     
The senior rehearsal for the School of Engineering will be held on Friday, May 23 from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in America. Graduating seniors are required to attend and a pizza lunch is served. The rehearsal is designed to give graduates an overview of the School of Engineering undergraduate diploma ceremony in the Meeting House and answer any questions. There will be a walk through of the ceremony, including pew assignments and line up procedures.

WHAT DAY IS COMMENCEMENT?     Sunday, May 25, 2025

WHAT TIME DOES COMMENCEMENT START?   
Undergraduate students are asked to report to Waterman Street by 9:30 a.m. Lineup begins at Faunce Arch, facing east, on the south side of Waterman Street.  All seniors should arrive to Waterman in academic regalia. Undergraduate students will process through the Van Wickle Gates, down College and Benefit streets to the grounds of First Baptist Meeting House for the College Ceremony which will begin at approximately 12:15 p.m.  After the ceremony ends, the seniors walk up the hill and take seats on the College Green for the University ceremony which will begin at approximately 1:15 p.m.

WHERE AND WHAT TIME DOES THE ENGINEERING UNDERGRADUATE DIPLOMA CEREMONY BEGIN?
The University Ceremony ends on the College Green around 2:00 p.m. School of Engineering students and families will then proceed to the First Baptist Church, 75 North Main Street, located at the foot of College Hill, where there will be refreshments and a light reception. The School of Engineering undergraduate diploma ceremony will begin around 2:45 P.M. and students will line up beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the basement of the church. Please note that times are approximate and are only an estimate.

MAY I BRING FOOD OR WATER INTO THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH?
No. There is no food or water allowed in the church.

IS THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?     
Please contact SAS (Student Accessibility Services) shuttle dispatcher at 401-225-9572 in advance to make arrangements for shuttle transportation to and wheelchair access through the rear of the church. SAS can also assist with other arrangements throughout Commencement Weekend. Please visit commencement.brown.edu/plan/accessibility for additional accessibility information or call SAS at 401-863-9588.

Please note that if you wish to drop a family member who needs assistance entering the church, please use 11 Thomas Street, Providence in your GPS as the drop off address. This is the only entrance to the church that is accessible. All other entrances require climbing stairs.

ARE THERE BATHROOM FACILITIES AT THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH?     
Due to the historic nature of the First Baptist Church in America, the bathroom facilities are very limited and not accessible by wheelchair. There are accessible portable bathrooms located throughout campus for the weekend.

IS THERE A LIMIT TO HOW MANY TICKETS I CAN GET?     
There are no tickets for Commencement. Seating is first come, first served on the College Green and at the First Baptist Church. There is sufficient seating at the church to accommodate all guests. 

DOWNLOAD THE BROWNU APP
Download the BrownU mobile app to find information on the go during Commencement and Reunion Weekend, including events, campus maps, dining and parking options, the location of water stations and restrooms, and much more.

WHAT TIME DOES COMMENCEMENT END?     
In general, the University Ceremony ends on the College Green around 2:00/2:15 p.m. with individual departmental diploma ceremonies occurring afterward. The School of Engineering diploma ceremony will run from approximately 2:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For additional information, please visit: commencement.brown.edu
The comprehensive schedule of all University Commencement events can be found here.

SATURDAY, MAY 24,  9:30 A.M. (COFFEE & PASTRY RECEPTION AT 8:45 A.M.)   
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING MASTER’S RECEPTION, OLNEY-MARGOLIES ATHLETIC CENTER (OMAC).

SATURDAY, MAY 24, 3:30 P.M.    
UNIVERSITY MASTER’S PROCESSION AND CEREMONY, COLLEGE GREEN

WHAT TIME DOES THE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING MASTER’S RECEPTION START?
The master’s reception begins Saturday, May 24 at 9:30 A.M. (coffee & pastry reception at 8:45 A.M.) in the Olney-Margolies Athletic Center (OMAC). The reception includes awards presentation and presentation of hoods. 

HOW DO I WEAR MY REGALIA?
Try on your regalia prior to Commencement to make sure you have received the correct items and they fit correctly.

Unless other arrangements have been made you will receive your hood at the School of Engineering Master’s Reception on Saturday, May 24 at 9:30 a.m. The tassel for the cap goes on your left.

IS THERE ASSIGNED SEATING AT THE ENGINEERING MASTER’S RECEPTION?
Yes. There is a student reserved section in the front that will have a card with your name taped to the back of your chair. Families and guests can find first come, first served seating behind the student section.

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR RECEIVING MY HOOD?
Graduates will be called in alphabetical order by degree. Graduates should bring the card found on their seat with their name to hand to the speaker. Hoods will be presented by the program director or dean in each area.

IS THERE A LIMIT TO HOW MANY TICKETS I CAN GET TO THE ENGINEERING MASTER’S RECEPTION?
There is no limit on the number of tickets to the master’s reception. Seating is first come, first served. 

WHAT TIME DOES THE UNIVERSITY MASTER’S CEREMONY START?
The master’s procession begins at 3:30 P.M. behind Sayles Hall, and the master’s ceremony begins at 4 P.M. on the College Green. The ceremony includes an invocation, student speaker, awards presentation, conferral of degrees, and benediction. 

IS THERE A LIMIT TO HOW MANY TICKETS I CAN GET TO THE UNIVERSITY MASTER’S CEREMONY?
The university master’s ceremony is not ticketed. Students are advised to bring no more than four to five guests each; seating is first come, first served. The Master’s ceremony is available to view via livestream.

CAMPUS ACCESSIBILITY
Please contact SAS (Student Accessibility Services) shuttle dispatcher at 401-225-9572 in advance to make arrangements for shuttle transportation. SAS can also assist with other arrangements throughout Commencement Weekend. Please visit commencement.brown.edu/plan/accessibility for additional accessibility information or call SAS at 401-863-9588. 

DOWNLOAD THE BROWNU APP
Download the BrownU mobile app to find information on the go during Commencement and Reunion Weekend, including events, campus maps, dining and parking options, the location of water stations and restrooms, and much more.

For additional information, please visit: commencement.brown.edu

SATURDAY, MAY 24,  6:00 P.M.     
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING PH.D. AWARDS DINNER, ALUMNAE HALL.

SUNDAY, MAY 25,  9:00 A.M.     
UNIVERSITY PROCESSION AND DOCTORAL CEREMONY

WHAT TIME DOES THE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING PH.D. AWARDS DINNER START? 
The Brown Engineering Awards Dinner will be held on Saturday, May 24 at 6:00 p.m., in Alumnae Hall on the Pembroke Campus. Dress is semi-formal; black tie, optional. In addition to several awards, we will continue the tradition of recognizing our candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by presenting them with their hoods.

IS THERE A LIMIT TO HOW MANY TICKETS I CAN GET AT THE ENGINEERING PH.D. AWARDS DINNER?
Due to the capacity of the room, graduates are guaranteed three guests (yourself + three guests). If additional space is available, graduates can request more tickets after May 1.

WHAT TIME DOES COMMENCEMENT START?
Doctoral students are asked to report to Waterman Street by 9:00 a.m. Lineup begins at Faunce Arch, facing west, on the north side of Waterman Street. Academic regalia is required to participate in the procession and the doctoral ceremony. Doctoral students will march through the Van Wickle Gates and take an immediate right onto Prospect Street and right again on Waterman Street. They will take a left onto Thayer Street and process to Pembroke Field for their ceremony. After the ceremony ends, the students return to the College Green for the University ceremony which will begin at approximately 1:15 p.m.

HOW DO I WEAR MY REGALIA?
Try on your regalia prior to Commencement to make sure you have received the correct items and they fit correctly. Carry the doctoral hood over your left arm; you will be hooded at the ceremony. The tassel for the tam goes on your left.

WHERE AND WHAT TIME DOES THE DOCTORAL CEREMONY BEGIN?
The doctoral ceremony will begin at approximately 10:30 a.m. After the doctoral students pass through the Van Wickle Gates, proceed to Pembroke Field.

WHERE AND WHAT TIME DOES THE UNIVERSITY CEREMONY BEGIN?
The University ceremony begins around 1:15 p.m. on the Main Green and is optional for doctoral students and their families. The honorary degrees are awarded here.

IS THERE A LIMIT TO HOW MANY TICKETS I CAN GET AT THE UNIVERSITY CEREMONY?
The doctoral ceremony is not ticketed. Students are advised to bring no more than four to five guests each; seating is first come, first served. The doctoral ceremony is available to view via livestream.

CAMPUS ACCESSIBILITY
Please contact SAS (Student Accessibility Services) shuttle dispatcher at 401-225-9572 in advance to make arrangements for shuttle transportation. SAS can also assist with other arrangements throughout Commencement Weekend. Please visit commencement.brown.edu/plan/accessibility for additional accessibility information or call SAS at 401-863-9588.

DOWNLOAD THE BROWNU APP
Download the BrownU mobile app to find information on the go during Commencement and Reunion Weekend, including events, campus maps, dining and parking options, the location of water stations and restrooms, and much more.

For additional information, please visit: commencement.brown.edu

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING EVENTS:

• Friday, May 23, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.   
  Back to Brown Engineering Alumni Reception, Hazeltine Commons, ERC. 
  (All faculty)

• Saturday, May 24, 8:45 a.m.    
  Master’s Reception, Olney-Margolies Athletic Center (OMAC). 
  (All faculty - wear academic regalia)

• Saturday, May 24, 6:00 p.m.   
  Engineering Ph.D. awards dinner and presentation of hoods, Alumnae Hall. 
  (Ph.D. advisers by invitation only - semi-formal attire)

• Sunday, May 25, 2:00 p.m.   
  Engineering Undergraduate diploma ceremony, First Baptist Meeting House. 
  (All faculty - wear academic regalia)
   

HOW MAY FACULTY PARTICIPATE IN THE UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT PROCESSION?
Faculty who wish to partake in the procession and view the University Ceremony are asked to report to Brown Street, near Fones Alley no later than 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. Please approach the lineup from Angell St. Faculty will line up behind the senior administration. Faculty will process through the Van Wickle Gates, down College and Benefit streets, and return to reserved seating on the College Green via Waterman Street to view the College and University ceremonies. Faculty who wish to process with the Graduate School and attend the doctoral ceremony are asked to report to Waterman Street in front of Page-Robinson Hall no later than 9:30 a.m.

WHAT TIME DOES THE UNIVERSITY PROCESSION START ON SUNDAY?
The procession steps off promptly at 9:45 a.m. 

WHERE AND WHAT TIME DOES THE DOCTORAL CEREMONY BEGIN?
After the doctoral students pass through the Van Wickle Gates, students will head toward Pembroke Field for their ceremony which will begin around 10:30 a.m.

WHERE AND WHAT TIME DOES THE UNIVERSITY CEREMONY BEGIN?
The University Ceremony begins around 1:15 p.m. on the Main Green. The honorary degrees are awarded here.

WHERE AND WHEN DOES THE ENGINEERING UNDERGRADUATE DIPLOMA CEREMONY BEGIN?
The University Ceremony ends on the College Green around 2 p.m. School of Engineering students, guests, and faculty will then proceed to the First Baptist Church, 75 North Main Street, located at the foot of College Hill. There will be refreshments and the

School of Engineering undergraduate diploma ceremony will begin around 2:45 P.M.

WHERE SHOULD FACULTY SIT AT THE ENGINEERING UNDERGRADUATE DIPLOMA CEREMONY?
There is reserved seating (several pews) for faculty in the front of the church. Faculty are asked to be seated by 2:30 p.m. Members of the Engineering Executive Committee will sit in the front of the church.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES?
During the presentation of the diplomas, faculty typically stand up and form a receiving line to congratulate the students. Some faculty may be asked in advance to present awards or read names, but you will be notified of these requests.

THE MASTER’S CEREMONY WILL BE HELD SATURDAY, MAY 24, 3 P.M
Master’s students have a short procession from behind Sayles Hall to College Green for the Master’s Ceremony. Faculty should plan to arrive at 3 p.m. to seat themselves in the reserved faculty section on College Green near the front of the stage.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO EACH EVENT?
Back to Brown alumni reception on Friday is business casual. Faculty should wear academic regalia to Saturday morning’s master’s reception. Invited Ph.D. advisers should wear semi-formal attire to Saturday evening’s Engineering Ph.D. awards dinner.  Faculty should wear academic regalia to all events on Sunday.

For additional information on commencement, please visit: commencement.brown.edu